Loneliness and Vulnerability to Extremism

Loneliness, especially among young men, makes individuals vulnerable to extremist ideologies and false communities. Historical examples show that lonely young men are susceptible to joining dangerous movements like the Nazi party in the 1930s. Today, lonely young white men are at risk of being attracted to white nationalist violence. This isolation not only affects individual health but also impacts those around them negatively. Social capital is divided into bonding social capital, connecting individuals to similar peers, and bridging social capital, which links diverse groups together.